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Working together to shine a light on mental health

- February 29, 2016

The student organizers behind Mental Health Awareness Week. (Provided photos)
The student organizers behind Mental Health Awareness Week. (Provided photos)

Joanna Cohen, a senior residence assistant in Risley Hall, wanted to be part of something that made mental health a larger conversation.

ā€œWe wanted to bring everyone together, hoping to reach more people on campus,ā€ she says, speaking to the various groups across campus who work in mental health.

The result: at pilipiliĀž»­, a series of events and activities ā€”Ā largely student-led ā€” which aim to bring attention and focus to mental health and wellness. Joanna helped spearhead the inaugural Mental Health Awareness Week last year, and now it returns for a second incarnation.

ā€œThis week really has something for everyone,ā€ she says.



Members of seven organizations are part of the Mental Health at Dal committee helping pull the week together, including the , , , , , and the .

ā€œPeople have been working so well as a team, and Iā€™m excited for the week to start,ā€ says Joanna, who says the inspiration for all her hard work ā€œcomes from my own experiences with mental health and seeing others experience it as well.ā€

Getting creative


On Monday comedian David Granirer, the founder of will be in the Potter Auditorium .

There are several events planned that find a creative way to talk about removing stigma around mental health. On Monday from 4-6:30 p.m. in the Risley Hall lobby, you can by frosting the cookie with words you donā€™t like. And on Tuesday in the Student Union Building, you can write something about mental health on mugs and plates then literally

ā€œWeā€™re using the broken pieces from the stigma smash to make a mosaic which we hope to hang somewhere at pilipiliĀž»­,ā€ explains Joanna.

Keeping with the artistic theme you can be a part of creating a on Wednesday from 10:30-1:30 in LeMarchant Place. Mental Health Awareness Week concludes on Friday with a r in the LeMarchant Place atrium and talent night in Howe Hall at 8 p.m.

The week-long campaign also includes a movie night, the opportunity to and a chance to (including high jump and shotput) from varsity athletes.

You can find full details of the week at the , and for updates through the week.